August 24, 2010
Yeah, a free public lecture from the Aspen Physics Institute on finding true love entitled Birds do it, Bees do it: Physics and the art of attracting a mate.
Lecturer Eric Dufresne wants to know how things work. His laboratory investigates the physics underlying materials and biology. On a given day, you could find him studying the motion of a tiny plastic ball suspended in water, filming a grasshopper jump with a high-speed camera, watching paint dry (it’s actually really interesting!), or studying how immune cells fight off infectious disease. Eric is excited to be sharing his current research on how birds and other animals use physics to attract mates. hosted by Aspen Center for Physics at 6:30p, Wednesday August 25 in Paepcke Auditorium behind the Music Tent.
Free dating advice? Always a win.
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July 16, 2010
There’s yoga, music, camping, dancing, delicious food … what isn’t to love about Yoga Rocks the Mountains, this weekend in Snowmass?
Yoga Workshop Schedule (full schedule here) … I’m just listing the classes with Aaron, my instructor at King Yoga, who I LOVE and who trains Lance Armstrong, so even if I didn’t ALREADY think so, he must be badass.
1) YoGroove Yoga: Aaron King and Amy Baker with the music of Cameron Williams
Nest Patio & Pool, FRIDAY, 5-6pm
YoGroove- Vinyasa flow class that infuses Live Guitar by Cameron Williams and Heartfelt Rocking Yoga by Amy Baker and Aaron King. An all levels sequence of yoga asanas to the sweet grooves of a guitar creates a healing positive vibration in the mountains of Snowmass, Colorado. This class is a Donation based yoga class. All Welcome!
2) Rhythm Sanctuary Dance Party (FREE)
Nest Patio & Pool, FRIDAY, 6pm
3) Yoga for Cyclists: Aaron King
Salon 1m SATURDAY, 12:30-1:30pm
An hour of yoga designed to maximize your strength and flexibility and breathe while cycling. This class will focus on opening our hips and heart through a specific sequence of poses to release tightness from riding alot. All levels welcome.
Tickets for the whole weekend are $80, individual classes/sessions are available for as little as $25.
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July 5, 2010
They say all the real business in the world happens in Aspen, in secret. Well today kicks off the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Aspen Institute and The Atlantic magazine’s gathering of great minds, including 13+ former heads of state and Bill Clinton (who a friend of mine shamelessly chased down the street last time he was in town for this festival), that runs through next Sunday. Their goal is to “offer a stimulating and invigorating celebration of some of the liveliest minds,” and to “engage its participants in a variety of programs, tutorials, seminars and discussion events that together are guaranteed to charge the atmosphere with vibrant intellectual exchange. Think of it as a week-long summer university for the mind – remarkable lectures and classes across a stimulating array of topics.“
Think SXSW but smarter and more broad, and you get Aspen Ideas.
I’m signed up for two panels that I’m really, really excited about. The first is:
LIVING DIGITALLY: Is Social Media Transforming Journalism?
Speakers: David Kirkpatrick, James Bennet, Vivian Schiller, Arianna Huffington
Moderator: Charlie Firestone
I’m excited to see what some of the people on the forefront of new media and models of journalism have to say about the future of journalism!
The second panel is near and dear to my heart:
WOMEN + GIRLS: CHANGE AGENTS: Go, Girl: How Title IX Galvanized Play for Women
Speakers: Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Sheila C. Johnson, Beth A. Brooke
Moderator: Tom Farrey
I’ve studied Title IX extensively and think that–in a nutshell–it’s a great idea that was intended to be enforced in spirit but is instead enforced in letter, which is unfair. Depending on how good this panel is and what they say, I’ll share more, but it’s not until next weekend 
The festival is sold out, but they so have single-session tickets for select sessions starting at $20. Snag some at the Wheeler Opera House, online at www.aspenshowtickets.com, or by calling 970-920-5770.
#aif2010 is the hashtag for Aspen Ideas Festival / Check out The Atlantic’s explanation of the festival – it rocks.
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June 25, 2010
Saturday you can start the day out with the first annual Great Austin Beer Fest (4-8pm), then head to the 5K Keep Austin Weird Run at 7pm, or just to the party afterward.
Great Austin Beer Fest
… sounds awesome! Local faves (512), Independence, Shiner, St. Arnold, plus some nationwide microbrews (VT’s Magic Hat, Portland’s Deschutes, both breweries I’ve been to and beers I enjoy), full brewery list available here. Tix for the thang are almost sold out, cost $40, and according to the facebook page comments include samples of as many of the 41 breweries as you want … erm … Great Austin Beer Festival
Keep Austin Weird Fest
Always an Austin special time. The Fest starts at 2pm and goes on through the race time (7pm) with headliners Bright Light Social Hour playing at 8:30pm. Costumes are the big deal during this day/race, the latter which includes such unorthodox water stops as ones with Amy’s Ice Cream. There’s tons of food and a big party before AND after the race too.
Other music includes White Ghost Shivers (6:30pm), Bruce James Soultet (5pm), and Dustin Welch (3:30pm).
Beer and running all in one Saturday? Always a win.
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June 17, 2010
It’s this weekend, kids. If you didn’t have the $1,185 to buy the big tickets, or even the $295 to buy a 1-day pass (steal! if that’s your cup of tea anyway), you can still enjoy the Food & Wine melee with the rest. Word on the street is that there are over 100 private parties in addition to the official Food & Wine events, and the shops and stores along the mall are pulling out all the stops to get people inside (read: free wine and food).
Since I didn’t win two free passes from the plastics site, I’ll be wandering around town looking for cool stuff to participate in. I pretty much equate this to a fancier SXSW, where you don’t need anything but your own two feet to walk around and get into some fun parties and events.
I mean, Aspen is a small town. There are only so many places for celeb chefs Jacques Pepin, David Chang, Giada DeLaurentiis, Michael Symon, Morimoto, Thomas Keller, and Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons to go …
From my short time here, I’d recommend they:
- Get chippers at Paradise Bakery
- Try Brexi Brasserie – it’s just across the street from the main part of the fest, and it’s AWESOME
- Eat a burger + sweet potato fries from J Bar or Belly Up, both feature free-range meat and crisp fries
- Get the Kale Salad at Peach’s Corner Cafe. People watch. Eat your delicious, refreshing salad.
- Hike Aspen Mountain. You need to burn calories, and the view cannot. be. beat.
- Visit Carl’s Pharmacy. A General Store throwback if I’ve ever seen one. You must go upstairs too.
Also, the newly-expanded Saturday Farmer’s Market opens this weekend. It’s located on E. Hopkins from Hunter to Galena and features produce, meats, and artisan crafts from across Colorado. I can’t wait to hit it up!
Last bit of advice for Food & Wine, from a festival-going, wine-drinking pro: Pace yourself. Drink lots of water. FIJI water is owned by an Aspen family and freely distributed within the festival, take advantage of it. Also, wear a huge, fashionable hat and sunscreen. Waking up hungover AND sunburned just adds insult to injury.
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June 9, 2010
The first annual Outside in Aspen, a participatory adventure weekend, is this weekend, June 11 – 13! The weekend includes outfitter-led adventures, parties, and a symposium. Professional adventure athletes like big mountain skier Chris Davenport, Olympic Gold Medalist Tyler Hamilton, Everest climber and photographer Jake Norton, and extreme kayaker Jesse Coombs, as well as Outside magazine personalities, will be hanging out in town. Leave No Trace is the non-profit event beneficiary.
To participate in the weekend, you can buy a $200 Activity Package ($100 for one day) that includes a ½ day activity (like rafting, mountain biking, hiking, and more–to view activity descriptions & schedule, click here) on Saturday and Sunday, entrance to the Welcome Party Friday at the Sky Hotel and Après Pool Party on Saturday at the Hotel Jerome, Adventure Athlete Panel Discussion and Lunch on Sunday at Base Camp.
If you’re just cruising around town, stop by Base Camp in the Gondola Plaza between 8am and 4pm to check out the Outside Magazine’s Gear of the Year along with all the latest from Eddie Bauer First Ascent and other sponsors. (Swag potential!)
For complete Outside in Aspen weekend agenda, click here.
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May 27, 2010
Honestly, this is probably the number one thing people said to me as I started talking about being in Aspen for part of the summer — “Oh, are you going to Food & Wine?”
![PMIP Aricle Image[1]](http://www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/PMIP-Aricle-Image1.JPG "PMIP Aricle Image[1]")
Well, no. Hopefully we can spring for a locals’ tasting, or at least hit up a cool afterparty. Unless, of course, I win this Take the Aspen Challenge! Plastics Make It Possible ticket giveaway. [Insert Graduate joke here]
Just answer: “How do you use plastics to create your favorite foods or memorable parties?” Post a comment about your favorite tools and techniques for using plastic for food preparation, storage, or entertaining for a chance to win two passes to the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, June 18-20 AND $500!
The contest closes at 11:59 p.m. MT on June 3, and the winner will be announced at 5:00 p.m. MT on June 4. Contest rules and restrictions here.
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May 26, 2010
Sex & The City 2 Sex & The City 2 Sex & The City 2 … I just can’t wait!!
Carrie On at The Belmont
Neither can The Belmont … They have a Carrie On Week planned, where you get all glammed up, grab your gal pals, and let your inner Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte shine as you sip on swanky cocktails at the Belmont before enjoying the flick! Make a reservation with Michelle (michelle@thebelmontaustin.com) to receive a FREE bottle of champagne when you come in with a group of 5 or more!!
Or, redeem your ticket stub after the movie to enjoy a complimentary “Sex and The City-Inspired Refreshment”! Offer good until June 5th.
Carrie On at Speakeasy
Does Miranda On just not work? Anyway, the fab-u-lous Sex & The City 2 movie comes out May 27 nationwide, but Speakeasy is hosting a Carrie On Soiree on Thursday, May 27, 2010, 7pm:
In true Carrie Bradshaw fashion, there will be free-flowing champagne, bottle service in the Kabaret Room with Skyy SATC II Signature Bottles and sushi from Imperia. This is not an evening to be fashionably late as swag bags and complimentary cosmos will be offered to the first 100 arrivals.
Start your evening off at Terrace 59 with a glamorous fashion show, featuring several sexy Dress Shop and Teddies for Bettys looks inspired by the Sex and the City characters. Austin’s own Micah Yancey will be presenting her handmade jewelry along with Limbo Jewelry Design. “Express manicures” will be offered by the nail techs from Embellish Nails & Boutique. Custom sweet and savory bites will be prepared by Allison Waddell of GoGo Delicious. And look for special surprises from Camille’s Better Bronze and Corp Fit in the gift bags!
Sex & The City 2 at Sully’s
Thursday, May 27, 5 pm – 11:30 pm
Regular happy hour features ($5 martinis) PLUS Sex & the City theme martinis, complimentary appetizers, and Sweet Treats with their delicious cake balls!
The Salon at Saks 5th Avenue is bringing a manicurist to touch up your nails and Chanel make up artists to get you looking just like the stars!
Fashions from:
gallery d, Plain Ivey Jane, Silpada Jewelry
, Stella Says Go, and Touch of Sass
Incredible door prizes including:
Tickets to see Sex & the City 2 at the Alamo Drafthouse
; 1 pair of tickets to see Sex & the City star Mario Cantone at the Long Center;
Gift Baskets from Belvedere, Ketel One and Hennessy
OMG I cant wait!!
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May 10, 2010
Hipsters and art patrons alike are coming together for the 11th Annual 5×7 Art Splurge, and the art series is adding a cheaper Social event too. With nightlife kingpin James Moody charing the event, the Arthouse event pulled off quite the coup, because while cool, the art-patron organization just doesn’t have quite the same reputation with the hipsters as Moody’s Mohawk nightclub …
So the suddenly-hip Five x Seven features more than 1,000 5-inch by 7-inch original works of art generously donated by over 900 emerging and established artists with strong ties to Arthouse or Texas. The tricky part: the 5x7s are displayed anonymously and buyers will discover the creators of the works only after the pieces have been purchased. All 5×7 pieces are $100. A full list of participating artists may be found at www.arthousetexas.org.
Event One: ART SPLURGE with food by Kevin Williamson and Ranch 616 and music by DJ team Lean & Bounce.
Thursday, May 13, 7:30-10p / The Whitley Building, 301 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701. Tix $125, online at www.arthousetexas.org or 512.453.5312.
Event Two (the new one): FIVE X SEVEN ART SOCIAL with music by Balmorhea (you can bet that’s Moody’s influence), food by Frank and drinks on hand. Tix are $30, and 5x7s are still $100, but the Splurgers will have gotten first pick… Friday, May 14, 8 – 11pm / The Whitley Building, 301 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
Event three: Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16 from 11a to 6p, the exhibition at The Whitley Building will be open to the public for free admission, where art patrons can still purchase the remaining 5×7 artwork for $100.
Giveaway: 2 tix to 5×7 Art Social!
How: leave a comment by 5pm on Wednesday with what you’d put in a 5×7 blank canvas up for sale for $100. Winner will be chosen by me, not randomly, by what is my favorite answer. No it’s not fair, but I don’t care. Be creative!
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